Gop Governor Candidates Take It Easy On Each Other

MIAMI SHORES — Four of the five major Republican candidates in the 1986 governor's race got together for their first forum Tuesday, but the meeting was more like a lovefest than a competition.

The four -- Tampa Mayor Bob Martinez, Miami state Rep. Tom Gallagher, Hobe Sound state Sen. William ''Doc'' Myers, and former Vero Beach state Rep. Chester Clem -- appeared at the Biscayne Republican Club at the Miami Shores Country Club.

A fifth candidate, former U.S. Rep. Lou Frey of Orlando, did not attend. Oscar Juarez, Orlando political consultant and longtime Frey ally, said Frey was in Washington interviewing political pollsters for his campaign.

Myers, 54, said while it was difficult for Republicans to contest Gov. Bob Graham because of his popularity, they have a good chance in 1986 to win the office.

Myers and other GOP candidates said they would put Republicans in state jobs to ''change the way this state is heading.''

Martinez, 50, spoke of his activities as a teacher, restaurant owner and mayor but did not mention he was a Democrat until switching parties two years ago.

''If anyone tells you government cannot operate like a business, tell them they're wrong,'' Martinez said.

Gallagher, 41, an insurance executive from Coconut Grove, said the presence of ''good candidates and a good primary'' means Republicans have a strong chance in 1986.

''I think maybe we'll see a bloody Democratic primary, and they can't get together and that will help us,'' he said.

Clem, 47, an attorney and former two-term representative, focused on crime. ''I can remember when people didn't lock their doors at night because they didn't have to,'' Clem said.

He also said that new residents don't pay their fair share of road and other expenses but offered no specific means to make them do so.